Melissa

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Melissa Lake was conducted on August 12th-15th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Eighteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-four species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish and Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured eleven species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Walleye comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Melissa Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Melissa Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Otter Tail River assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Melissa Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lake Melissa was conducted July 30th - August 1st, 2024, by Detroit Lakes Fisheries Staff. Data was collected from 18 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. All stations were sampled with a backpack electrofishing unit, 16 were sampled with a 50-foot seine and 2 stations were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of native fish, which included six species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Logperch, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The three most common species captured during the nearshore survey in order of abundance were: Spottail Shiner, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. The nearshore fish survey data was combined with the standard survey data from July 2024, and an additional targeted survey in August 2024 to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Lake Melissa is located in the Otter Tail River Watershed.

Lake Melissa is a 1,850-acre lake located in southwest Becker County. It lies just downstream from Lake Sallie on the Pelican River chain of lakes. Zebra Mussels were discovered in Lake Melissa in the summer of 2014. The lake has a special regulation for Northern Pike, consisting of a three fish limit, mandatory release of all pike between 24 to 36 inches, and only one fish over 36 inches in possession. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July 2024 to assess the fish populations in Lake Melissa. Anglers will find an abundant number of Northern Pike in Lake Melissa, however, most of these fish will be on the small side. The average size of the pike captured in 2024 was 21 inches, but one 32-inch fish was measured. Lake Melissa has a very stable Walleye population and the 2024 survey captured Walleyes in good numbers and size. About 73% of the Walleye observed in 2024 were over 15 inches and 39% were over 20 inches. The average Walleye surveyed was 18 inches long. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of small Bluegills, but fish over eight inches are rare. Only one percent of the Bluegills sampled in 2024 were over eight inches. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to ten inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 19.5 inches were captured. Other fish species sampled were Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Melissa. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Melissa. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Melissa has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Melissa is from 2024.

Yes — Melissa has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.